Idaho State Fire Plan Working Group
Meeting Notes- October 7, 2008
Doubletree Riverside Hotel, Boise, Idaho
Facilitator: Steve Kimball
Notekeeper: Ellen Dunlap (USFWS)
Attending:
ISFPWG Members: Guests (continued):
Steve Kimball – NFP Coordinator Cathy Scofield – FS-R1
Mark Larson – State Fire Marshall Loren Walker- FS-R4
Tim Droegmiller – Nez Perce Tribe Lewis Holt – Nez Perce Tribe
Dave Hasz – IEMA Ivy Dickinson – Nez Perce Tribe
Len Diaz – BIA Dale Johnson – Nez Perce Tribe
Julie Thomas – RC&Ds Stephen Goodson – Governor’s Office
Leonard Wehking – BLM Winston Wiggins
Dave Jackson – BHS Mark Stephensen - BHS
Jerry Miller – IDC Robert Feeley - BHS
Gary Brown – FS-R4 John Chatburn – Governor’s Office
Kelly Cardoza – FWS Greg Gollberg- U of I
Dave Summers – IDL Doug Hammond- Custer County
Bob Cope - IAC Dave Olson FS – R4
Susan Jenkins – FS –R1 Jonathon Oppenheimer- ICL
Andy Brunnelle - FS
Keith Harrap- NSW Fire Service
Guests: Karin Drnjevic- Lemhi County
Brett Ingles – BSU Rob Lundgren – Idaho County
Harry Steele – IDL Keith Richey - Fremont County
Alan Tresemer- Painted Rocks FD Larry Naccarato- St. Maries FD
George Bacon – ID State Forester Ellen Dunlap- USFWS (Notes)
Jon Skinner – ID BLM Susan Giannettino- BLM
Welcome and Overview:
Steve Kimball – Introduction of new members: from Governor’s Office: Stephen
Goodson and John Chatburn; new Fish & Wildlife Rep: Kelly Cardoza.
This meeting and the Wildland Fire Conference will explore going to the next level with
the National Fire Plan in Idaho. We’ll continue with the Idaho National Fire Plan
Implementation Strategy in which the State and County interagency working groups
work collaboratively on hazardous fuels reduction, firefighting resources, restoration,
education, and other wildfire mitigation. We’ll share more on the developing statewide
education program (Idaho Firewise). We’ll discuss the new County Wildfire Protection
Guide is an excellent resource for guiding counties in the next round of CWPP updates.
We’ll have updates from Ada and Fremont Counties on their work. We’ll hear from
Keith Harrap and Alan Tresemer on the Australian approach and how that is being
implemented in the Painted Rocks Fire Department in Montana.
Steve provided an update on the follow-up items from the McCall 06/08 meeting:
Annual report – ISFPWG annual report was distributed to over 200 interested parties.
“Are We Safe From Fire? Protecting Idaho Communities” Video – The new video is
complete and a copy is going to each conference participant. Official release took place
in Grangeville in mid September with a showing at the Blue Fox theatre. About 75
people attended, including partners working on the video and some of the Deer Creek
homeowners.
County visits –Steve reported that a “Living on the Edge” presentation was held in
Camas County in September. Steve and Harry will be assisting Blaine County with a
session on October 23rd. Brett Ingles suggested that the ISFPWG follow-up with Ada
County for a post-Oregon Trail Fire discussion. Cope suggested that the Oregon Trail
Fire could be a discussion topic with Canyon County as well. It would be good to also
check-in with Bingham County (more discussion later on next county visits).
GIS Mapping – Brett Ingles reported that it is complete and on the website.
Fire Facts – Winston Wiggins developed a “Fire Facts” booklet for IDL; The
Communications Subcommittee would like to see this expanded to encompass all lands in
Idaho and to be available on the web. The Communications and Education
Subcommittees will work on this with development of the Idaho Firewise website.
Wildland Fire Conference – Brett Ingles from BSU gave an update on Idaho Wildland
Conference: expect 250 attendees; an addition to the agenda will be the panel discussion
of the Oregon Trail Fire. ISFPWG logo contest entries will be voted on at the
conference- the top five will be forwarded to a professional firm for help with selection
of a winning logo.
Subcommittee Reports:
Communications Subcommittee – Making progress on informing key contacts about the
progress on the National Fire Plan in Idaho. Steve met with congressional and Governor
staff in Boise and Lewiston. A new public affairs cadre was developed to help the
ISFPWG with news releases and other information sharing. The cadre developed news
releases on Idaho National Fire Plan progress and the ID Wildland Fire Conference.
Restoration Subcommittee – Continued efforts to track and support statewide restoration
work in counties throughout the state. Three restoration projects in Idaho will be
discussed at the Wildland Fire Conference: Clearwater Basin, Blue Alder, and Hughes
Creek.
Education Subcommittee – Jon Skinner presented on behalf of the Subcommittee. The
new Idaho Firewise program is proposed to support fire educators throughout Idaho with
a new website and clearinghouse of materials. ISFPWG agreed to support the short term
proposal to develop the new website and clearinghouse. The Subcommittee will lead
development of the website and clearinghouse, and initiating a pilot education program
(perhaps using Americorps). There was a comment urging a competitive process rather
than going directly to U of I for website development. The Subcommittee will discuss
this.
The next step for the Education Subcommittee is to develop a clear statement of the
program needs and begin outreach for funds. Approximately $ 90,000 will be needed this
year for startup of the program. For now, the Subcommittee will work on the program
startup; we’ll evaluate need for dedicated staffing in the spring.
Any further comments to proposal should be forwarded to Jon Skinner.
Agency Updates:
Dave Summers (IDL) discussed use of Red Zone software for conducting home
assessments. Dave is working with others on the new Home Assessment cadre to
develop a standard form and coordinated approach. Idaho and Lewis County are
involved with hazardous fuels reduction efforts. Steve Kimball added this year’s
Western States grants are being evaluated this week in Seattle (Kurt Naccarrato is
participating). Idaho has several strong proposals. Steve will share results of the
Western States grants evaluation.
Julie Thomas RCD’s – All councils in Idaho have hazardous fuels mitigation programs.
Many of the rural fire departments are active with red zone surveys.
Dave Jackson (Bureau of Homeland Security)- The State All Hazard Mitigation Plan has
been signed by the Governor. 14 local county mitigation plans are at FEMA for
approval; grant applications for 2009 are available; counties must have a FEMA
approved plan to apply for grants. BHS is hosting a workshop today (preconference
session) on grant preparation. Red zone software and surveys and can be a grant item if
the County All Hazard Plan is complete and this work is associated with a planning
project.
Mark Larson (State Fire Marshall) – Handed out “Fire in Idaho (2007)” book which
included wildland fire this year for the first time; Mark handed out a new Arson poster;
He discussed the International Fire Code and the International WUI Code. The
International Fire Code has been adopted by the Fire Marshal as the minimum standard
for state buildings (commercial and public buildings). An issue is that some fire districts
want to enforce this but some counties are saying no- they’ve taken the position they
haven’t adopted it. The International WUI Code is best used as a guideline for planning.
Mark highlighted some lawsuits which, when decided, will have major implications to
fire codes.
Tim Droegmiller (Nez Perce Tribe) – Nez Perce County WUI subcommittee is
implementing hazardous fuels treatments.
David Hasz (Idaho Emergency Managers Association) – Idaho has been busy this year
with snow, flood and fire.
Bob Cope (Idaho Association of Counties) – Roadless plan decision will be out soon.
This might serve as a motivating factor for county commissioners to look at new
hazardous fuels opportunities. Steve Kimball recently visited with the IAC Public Lands
Committee and there was discussion of the new roadless direction and community
protection.
Kelly Cardoza (US Fish and Wildlife Service) – Her position is new; she will replace
Dennis Seidman on the ISFPWG. Bear Lake County purchased fire equipment using a
RFA grant from FWS.
Gary Brown (FS- R4) – This was a relatively calm fire year. Forest Service spent $ 1.8
billion on fires this year, out of a total FS budget of about $ 4 billion. There are new
policy and terminology changes being considered. Payette was a test forest for new
processes and policies (including changes to Wildland Fire Use policy and Wildland Fire
Situation Analysis. Feds are in a continuing resolution until spring.
Leonard Weking (BLM) – Continuing issues with last year’s Murphy Complex; held over
300 meetings to educate the public on issues. No predicted increase in budget.
Jonathan Oppenheimer (Idaho Conservation League) – The final roadless rule could be
out by Friday. He mentioned the 2007 Fire Season Report from ICL and the success of
wildland fire use in 2007.
Len Diaz (BIA) – $ 1.2 million awarded to Tribes for approx. 4800 acres of treatment sin
Idaho (to Nez Perce, Shoeshone-Bannock, and CDA Tribes). Prevention funding should
be stable in FY09.
Susan Giannettino (BLM)- a new Lands Initiative could help with fuels treatments.
Cathy Scofield (FS- R1)- FS is under the continuing resolution. Western States Fire
Managers are meeting this week- hope to sustain last year’s level of funding. There are
more projects than funding available.
Bob Hatfield (Bonner County) – held a “Living on the Edge” seminar; had a wide
variety of attendees. Held a countywide wildfire exercise- evaluating a mock fire in a
subdivision. They looked at 18 homes- which would survive a fire. Had an Insurance
Day- to educate insurance agents- used the new video.
Karen Drnjevic (Lemhi County) – asked about funds for post fuels reduction work- to
spray for weeds (problem with high grass in subdivisions).
Ada County- Oregon Trail Fire Discussion:
Commissioner Paul Woods and Emergency Manager Doug Hardman discussed Ada
County’s response to the Oregon Trail Fire and some of the challenges. Among the
challenges is motivating people to use firewise principles to build or modify their homes.
The county will use a strong public education campaign. The small fire departments in
the county meeting monthly; a wildfire subcommittee will look at post fire data for future
mitigation work. County does have the authority to adopt a WUI code, but it may not be
politically or economically feasible. Paul Woods would like an example of required
buffer distances (no homes).
Fremont County Redzone Discussion:
Keith Richey, Fremont County Emergency Management Coordinator discussed the
successful use of the Redzone software for preparedness in Fremont County. He
provided a handout with maps and information to show how the county has used the
software to analyze emergency response for floods, wildfire, and various other
emergencies. They use the word “survey” rather than “assessments”. Some see
“assessment” and think this refers to tax assessments. Over 4,000 surveys have been
completed in Fremont County. Their database includes maps of homes, water sources,
conservation easements (CRP areas can be high risk), and communication sites.
Counties for ISFPWG Visits:
The ISFPWG will target meetings with Bingham, Ada, Oneida, and Valley Counties
this winter-spring. Also Idaho County if they have new Commissioners. The Working
Group will check-in with the counties on their progress, share what’s new with the State
program, and offer the support of the ISFPWG.
Idaho Home Assessment Team Discussion:
Steve Kimball mentioned ISFPWG is developing a home assessment team that will
develop and use a statewide format for assessing homes. The team will consist of Idaho
members (to start with- most from the ISFPWG and it’s agencies). The team will train
locals to use standard protocols and forms. The team could be available for Incident
Teams if information is vital to management of a fire incident.
New CWPP Guide Discussion:
Steve Kimball discussed the new CWPP Guide which was released in August. It offers a
more holistic approach to how counties should address wildfire in their plans. The new
guide can be found on the national Forests and Grasslands website:
http://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/communities/documents/CWPP_Report_Aug2008.
pdf
Encourage counties to use the new guide in their next round of CWPP updates.
Stay and Defend or Leave Early Discussion:
Keith Harrap, New South Wales Rural Fire Department- Australia, outlined the
Australian approach along with the benefits and challenges that come with it. Harrap
said this approach puts the responsibility for fire suppression and pre-planning
responsibility onto homeowners. Harrap said education is a critical element- they start
young- i.e kindergarten age. Firefighters train their communities. A challenge is people
moving into the bush with a low level of understanding. They use the term “asset
protection zone” rather than “defensible space.” (Defensible space connotes someone else
will actively defend your property). Harrap recommends taking advantage of large fire
seasons for education and legislation work. Australia has legislative support for their
approach. Fire risk drives development. The legislation makes the problem the owner’s
problem and establishes requirements for developers and homeowners. Homeowners are
required to take action to keep fires starting on their land from moving off their land.
Alan Tresemer from Painted Rocks Fire Department in Darby, Montana, discussed his
department’s adoption of the Australian approach in their fire district and why it works
for them. They had community classes with high attendance. Volunteer firefighters
carries the message to homeowners door to door. The firefighters have continuous
contact with homeowners. They don’t tell homeowners what to do but rather empower
homeowners to make their own decisions. Their program is about educated choices.
Next ISFPWG Meeting: January 27 – 28 in Grangeville. The spring meeting will
be in Salmon or Idaho Falls.